First, let me apologize for not posting for a while. I have been in Vegas for the past week for Magic showing TOUCH to buyers. Magic is the biggest apparel show of the year. I can’t begin to tell you what an amazing feeling it is to see everyone’s reaction to the line and how it’s grown. I can’t wait for you to see the jewelry and headwear collection as well as the styles for Spring 2008 apparel. You can click the image to the right and take a sneak peek for yourself.

When I first came up with the idea for TOUCH, it was considered risky and somewhat pioneering. Needless to say, to see it be accepted and embraced by the team buyers, as well as retail buyers, is incredibly rewarding. This venture has turned into my proudest professional accomplishment to date. When I thank you for your continued support, please know it comes from the heart. I am well aware that if the consumers (you) didn’t respond to the product, there would be no growth and expansion. From the bottom of my being, I thank you all.

Having said all that, on to why we’re really here. It seems like our boys in blue are fighting the good fight. Matt Kemp seems to have found a home in the 3 spot. James Loney has turned in some ribbies. The Dodgers have won 9 of their last 13 games. We had our first sweep in seven weeks and we’ve come from behind in a few games. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we can ride the wave and continue to close the gap in the standings. The worst is behind us, blue bleeders. ONWARD!

Ned Colletti has made some moves since my last actual baseball entry. Here’s my take on what he’s done:

• Esteban Loaiza: When you consider that most of the great pitchers who would have been free agents next year signed extensions with their teams -- and who knows what’s going to happen with Randy Wolf and Jason Schmidt? -- the Loaiza signing makes sense to me. My only concern is, why would Oakland give up a pitcher for nothing unless there was something up with his health? Let’s just hope it’s a Billy Beane "Moneyball" decision and that Loaiza isn’t hurt.
• David Wells: He is a veteran and a warrior. Making up for what he may not be able to contribute on the mound, you can’t argue the fact that he has heart and wants to win. He’s got a lot to prove and that aspect alone may mean numerous quality starts.
• Scott Proctor: After the three scoreless extra innings on Wednesday, Proctor has proven his worth.
• Shea Hillenbrand: It’s great to see him stepping up to the plate and doing what needs to be done in the clutch.

At first glance, Colletti’s moves may have seemed iffy, but desperate times called for desperate measures and he did the best he could considering the market and what was available. Most importantly, I think he made the team better without giving up any of our youth.

On Saturday, the rosters expand to 40 players. Let’s hope Nomar is activated. Andy LaRoche and Tony Abreu are sure to be called up to reinforce the infield, while D.J. Houlton and Eric Hull are the pitchers most likely to be called up.

Wow. I love baseball. It’s a reason to get up in the morning.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

Click here for the Alyssa.com Message Boards >

TOUCH by Alyssa Milano has been a big hit around Major League Baseball in 2007, and it's going to be even bigger in 2008! Here's a look at what's to come.

During this time of the season, every game matters and I eat a lot. We gradually accept the team we have and become more realistic about our postseason probabilities. There are no more blockbuster moves to make our teams better. We just have to sit back, surrender, hold on and enjoy the race to the finish.

It is a roller coaster ride. During this 2007 baseball season, we have all been on the roller coaster, just as we have in years past, and will in the years to come. Our moods and views shift day-to-day depending on the last game. Our reactions to the games are specific to who we are and what we’ve overcome or feel at that very moment in time. Baseball is our constant. It’s our oasis. It’s the tie that binds us here on this blog.

There is so much going on right now in the world. The mining accident in Utah. The earthquake in Peru. These devastations should be a reminder of what’s important in life. It’s so easy to forget that every day is a gift. Every single day -- pain and bliss and the spectrum in between -- is a gift.

Baseball is a gift. Every single game -- wins and losses and the spectrum in between -- is a gift.

Never lose hope. Have faith. Find compassion. And know we are all in this together.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

P.S. If you would like more information on how you can help the earthquake victims of Peru, please visit: www.unicefusa.org.

Click here for the Alyssa.com Message Boards >

Let us not forget those who came before Barry Bonds, swinging their way into the books with grace. Let this time in baseball be a reminder of what this sport truly is and what I hope it will return to in years to come. Is he a cheater? Time will tell when his body weakens. He is innocent until proven guilty. Let’s not judge what we don’t know or may never know. But . . . we can judge what we do know. We know that this is a man who stays seated during his team’s celebrations. He just lounges, gnawing his seeds, while everyone else offers a hive-five, butt pat or knucks. Not Barry. He just sits there. This is a man who hasn’t sued anyone for the published accusations made against him. This is a man who appears so ungrateful for his successes. This is a man who fuels the fire with his inability to be gracious in the media (albeit circus). This is a man who has chosen isolationism over camaraderie. If he is a good person and we have it all wrong, then he is the best actor I have ever seen.

It was odd to me that his teammates didn’t seem elated when he crossed the plate. Maybe this is because he never seemed thrilled for them no matter what the feat. It seemed odd to me that he pointed to the sky longer than he embraced his son who was once again there to great him upon his return -- a gesture that, when he tied the record at Petco (away from the doting Giants fans and boo’s sprinkled on top), actually tugged at my heartstrings. For a brief moment, when he carried his son in that embrace in San Diego, I thought: Perhaps we do have Barry all wrong.

Just as we love our heroes, we also love a good villain. A villain and a hero are two sides of the same coin. They are, in fact, inseparable. A villain doesn’t care what he has to do to achieve a goal. The villain cheats because he feels rules just get in the way and he works alone for what he believes to be “good”. A villain uses intimidation. A villain defies the laws of nature. A villain is only driven by ego. A villain is a character whose actions are important to the entire plot of the story. Barry Bonds is important to the big picture of baseball. He is a great media-made villain to the great socially made hero: Hank Aaron.

Right or wrong, it’s over. We are left with judgment relative to our own rights and our own wrongs. Hero or villain, Barry Bonds is our home run king and one of the greatest hitters baseball has ever known.

What are we left with? Nothing really. We are left with nothing and upon further reflection, that’s what makes me a bit melancholy. I sat with my dad and watched a game that I could care less about, while a man I have no compassion for, broke a record in the sport I love and I truly felt nothing. No tears of joy. No goose bumps. Not even anger.

Nothing.

At least it’s over.

Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa

P.S. Don’t even get me started about the Dodgers. My father is contemplating changing his dog Dodger’s name to Cubbie. ’Nuff said.

Click here for the Alyssa.com Message Boards >